Dealing with Multiple Attackers

Shooting practice is needed and to become an advanced sharp shooter you will need hours of practice. However, much if not all of your practice is against single and stationary targets. The targets do not move, sneak up behind you or climb buildings to fire down upon you, in practice sessions anyways. Anyone that has confronted a shooter when there is no advanced warning or it was not a planned attack on your part has to wonder if the shooter is alone. Do you focus on the one you can see or should you look for others. What happens when there are multiple shooters/attackers?

If you walk into a planned attack (ambush) the advantage goes to the attackers because if they are professionals they know where you will likely go for cover and/or concealment. They have set the stage and will not have left you with an escape route.

Unplanned firefights are hectic and either side can gain the advantage by thinking fast and moving even faster. Training is what saves lives during an attack; seeking cover immediately means you have denied the attackers that cover. Fast reloading is crucial and being able to fire on the move is as well.
When facing multiple attackers you cannot stay in one position because the attackers will flank you, shoot and then move and shoot on the move. If the attackers are advancing on you, the shooter in the center is likely the team leader. The center position allows them to see all team members and coordinate by hand movements. Team members must be able to see their team leader for instructions. Disable leader and others even if they are professionals will have a second of hesitation, which you must use to your advantage.

In years past gunfighters would face off to see who was the fastest draw. The shooters stood just a few yards apart and multiple shots were fired, and in some cases, neither shooter was hit. It was not always about who was the fastest but who was the most accurate.

You cannot fan your weapon and hope you hit someone. Regardless of the situation, you have to make your shots count. Pick out a target and hit it whether you are behind cover, on the move or sprawled on the ground. Do not take multiple shots at the same shooter, this allows the others to advance on you. Shoot and hit one and move to the next.

If for some reason, you have a scope remove it if possible. You will get tunnel vision if trying to track people through a scope. Open sight shooting or shooting over the sights allows you to track others while engaging one. Eyes move and then the body and weapon move with it and fire when your eyes make contact and if you have trained properly; your muzzle will be on target.

There are theories and plenty of advices from those that have never engaged even one shooter let alone multiple attackers. The reality is that firefights are chaotic, scary and over in seconds in most cases, unless both sides are “dug in” and both are looking for an advantage.

Standing your ground and facing your attackers will likely get you shot. You always want to be to one side or the other of any group that is a threat. Facing a group gives all of your attackers a clear shot. Move to the sides quickly to block fields of fire. Make the shooter move to get a shot and as they move to reengage, you shoot them first.

Unless you are in a military unit or with law enforcement, you will likely engage multiple attackers in your home, in a parking lot or possibly on a dark street. Your attackers while possibly experienced criminals will probably not have any tactical training will be under the influence of narcotics or alcohol and will depend on surprise and fear to gain the advantage.

Move quickly and fire at the one that has firearm. Once you see a weapon you cannot debate, you have to move. Disable that person with a shot and engage the next one. The one that you did not shoot will probably be rooted in place or will have fled because it takes years of experience to react lethally even for criminals. Most criminals have avoided being shot up to this point by being fast afoot.

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